Sentosa, May 25: The Asian Tour is pleased to announce that India’s Gautam Thapar has accepted an invitation to become a Board Member on the Asian Tour.

Gautam Thapar (President - PGTI)

Thapar is one of the most respected figures in India where he is Chairman and CEO of Avantha Group, the country’s foremost diversified corporation. He is also the President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and is instrumental in the robust growth and consolidation of PGTI since its inception in September, 2006.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “We are delighted to announce that Mr Gautam Thapar has graciously accepted our invitation to become a Board Member on the Asian Tour.

“Mr Thapar will bring a wealth of knowledge, vision and expertise for the Asian Tour to continue with our mission to develop and promote professional golf at the highest level across the region.

“I have every belief he will contribute immensely towards our continued success.”

Thapar said he was looking forward to playing a key role on the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region.

“I am honoured and delighted to accept the invitation to become a Board Member of the Asian Tour,” said Thapar.

“The stature of the professional game across the region and in India has risen tremendously over the past five years due to the Asian Tour. I am looking forward to contributing towards the continued growth and development of the game on the Asian Tour.”

Thapar, a graduate in chemical engineering in the United States, began his education at the prestigious Doon School in India. He has been credited for steering Avantha Group companies through a strategic and visionary turnaround enabling the Group to attain dominant status in the key operating sectors. He also sits on the board of various companies in India and internationally and received the coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Manufacturing in 2008.

With a keenness to give back to society, Thapar takes his social responsibilities very seriously and this is manifested in his involvement across three sectors – education, leadership development and sports. He is an active member of the Pratham Education Trust, President of Thapar University and Vice Chairman of the Aspen Institute India.

Thapar joins Rick Siemens, Ho Lon Gee and Han as non-playing members of the Asian Tour Board of Directors while the playing members are Lam Chih Bing, Unho Park and Zhang Lian-wei.

The Board establishes the vision and policies of the Asian Tour and directs the strategic development of the organisation.